How Much Does It Cost to Reupholster a Sofa in Egypt? (2026 Guide)
Reupholstering a sofa is one of the smartest furniture investments you can make — if the underlying frame is good. A quality reupholstery job often costs 40–60% less than replacing with a comparable new piece, and the result lasts 10–15 years. But pricing can be opaque, and most people don't know what's reasonable to pay. This guide breaks it down honestly.
The Three Cost Components
Reupholstery pricing in Egypt depends on three variables:
- Fabric — quality and meterage required
- Labor — disassembly, repair, sewing, installation
- Internal components — foam, springs, webbing, batting (often need replacement)
The biggest variable is fabric quality. The rest is more predictable.
Fabric Pricing per Meter
A rough guide to upholstery fabric pricing in the Egyptian market (per meter):
| Quality tier | Price range per meter | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | Lowest tier | Basic polyester, local cotton |
| Mid-range | Mid-tier | Quality linen blends, standard velvets |
| Premium | Higher tier | Performance velvets, imported linens |
| Luxury | Top tier | European designer fabrics, silk, mohair |
A standard 3-seater sofa typically requires 12–16 meters of fabric. A corner sectional can need 20–30+ meters.
Typical Labor Costs
Labor for full reupholstery of a 3-seater sofa in Cairo or Alexandria generally covers:
- Disassembly and inspection
- Frame inspection and minor repair
- Removing old fabric and padding
- Pattern cutting (especially important for striped or patterned fabrics)
- Sewing new covers
- Replacing webbing, springs, or foam as needed
- Reinstalling all covers
- Delivery and setup
Quality workshops in Egypt charge fairly for skilled labor — and skilled labor is what separates a reupholstery job that lasts 15 years from one that sags after two.
Hidden Costs Most People Forget
The fabric and labor estimates you get are often just fabric and labor. Watch for:
- Foam replacement — old foam compresses and yellows. Almost always worth replacing on a sofa older than 5 years.
- Spring repair — broken or sagging springs need fixing before recovering, or the new fabric will look terrible within a year.
- Webbing replacement — the underlying support system. Replace if there's any sagging.
- Pattern matching — for striped, plaid, or large-pattern fabrics, you need extra meterage (10–20%) to align patterns across seams.
- Decorative details — piping, contrast trim, button tufting, nailheads add cost
- Delivery and removal of old fabric — often quoted separately
When comparing quotes, ask which of these are included and which are additional.
What a Full 3-Seater Reupholstery Should Include
A complete, properly-quoted reupholstery job covers:
✓ Full disassembly ✓ Frame inspection (and minor repair if needed) ✓ New webbing or springs if existing have failed ✓ New foam in seat cushions and back cushions ✓ Fresh batting/wadding ✓ Pattern-matched fabric covers ✓ Hand-finished seams and edges ✓ Reattachment of all decorative elements ✓ Removal of old materials ✓ Delivery and installation in your home
Anything less and you're paying for a cover swap, not a real reupholstery.
When Reupholstering Beats Buying New
Reupholster when: - The frame is solid wood (not particleboard or MDF) - You love the silhouette and proportions - The sofa was originally a quality piece - You want a specific fabric not available on a new ready-made
Buy new when: - The frame is damaged, soft, or made of cheap materials - The proportions don't suit your space anymore - You want a different style entirely - The total reupholstery cost exceeds 60% of comparable new furniture
A heritage sofa from a quality maker is almost always worth reupholstering. A 5-year-old mass-market sofa from a chain store often is not.
How to Get an Honest Quote
- Have the workshop visit your home to assess the actual piece — quotes given over WhatsApp from photos are guesses
- Get a written quote with itemized fabric, labor, and component costs
- Confirm the fabric meterage — too little and the job runs out mid-project
- Ask about timeline — quality reupholstery takes 2–4 weeks
- Verify what's included — old fabric removal, delivery, etc.
- Ask to see previous work — photos of finished projects, ideally in clients' homes
Why Naguib Selim?
Naguib Selim has reupholstered sofas, banquettes, and full living rooms for residential and hospitality clients across Egypt for decades. Our process:
- Free in-home consultation and assessment
- Detailed written quote — no surprise extras
- Fabric samples brought to your home
- Frame inspected and repaired before recovery
- Bench-made covers, hand-finished
- Delivery and installation included
We work with European mills directly, so premium fabric pricing is competitive even with imported quality. Book a consultation and let's assess your piece.
A Note on Timing
Reupholstery quality depends on craftsmanship — rushing produces poor results. Budget 3–5 weeks from approval to delivery for a standard sofa. For corner sectionals or banquettes, allow 6–8 weeks. Plan accordingly if you're working toward a specific event date.